The US is considered to be one of the wealthiest countries with one of the best-developed economies in the world, which is why many countries in the world turn to it whenever they have some financial issues. But, as it always goes, not everyone has the financial sources to give the money back at the agreed time. This is why Insider Monkey decided to find out what are 10 countries that owe the US the most money.
For each technological or any other improvement, the government needs some essential financial assets to cover all the expenses needed to finish some of those projects. In the times of emergency, those countries have to turn to some more financially stable countries to help them out. Most of the time, it is the US. It doesn’t matter whether it is the US government or some of the bigger companies or more wealthy individuals.
Each year, the US Department of the Treasury releases the official report about the foreign securities held by the US entities. These securities include stocks and similar assets, as well as long-term and short-term debts. The article about 10 countries that owe the US the most money was finished on February 13, 2017, which is why the official data that was used for the research was dated October 2016. Even though the situation might have some slightest changes, the list would probably be the same even today, if not with just a few little changes. If nothing else, at least you will get the insight for the past year.
According to that report, the US had a total of $9.46 trillion in foreign securities only ($6.76 trillion in equity and $2.70 trillion in debt), which isn’t such a small thing, even for the US. It is important to say that this doesn’t only apply to the debt of different countries but for different institutions and companies as well. The U.S. Treasury bonds are considered to be the safest investments in the world, because of its top-notch military, immaculate debt settlement record, and power to print money to settle the debt.
That’s why there are many countries in the world that invested in the US bonds, just for the case. Not very bad investment, if you would ask me.
So now let’s see what are 10 countries that own the US the most money and what amount of money are we talking about. After all, $9.46 trillion isn’t just some money you find under the rug.
